Nails, Manicures, and Pedicures During Pregnancy

Feel pitiful without a pedicure? Manic without a manicure? Relax — it’s perfectly safe to polish your nails while pregnant (and take advantage of it now since it’s likely that your nails are growing faster and stronger than ever thanks to pregnancy hormones). If you get your nails done in a salon, make sure it’s a well-ventilated one (at the very least, the fumes might make you queasy — or they might be unsafe). As for acrylics, there’s no proof that the chemicals are harmful to you or your fetus, but you might want to err on the cautious side and forgo those tips until the baby comes. If your hormones didn’t get the memo and your nails become weak or brittle, try a clear nail hardener and reapply often (plus make sure you’re getting enough calcium in your diet).

A pedicure can work wonders in the last trimester, soothing sore feet, increasing circulation, and reducing swelling — not to mention making you feel a whole lot prettier (though you may have trouble admiring your tootsies if you can’t see past your belly already). Do be sure the manicurist doesn’t massage the area between your anklebone and heel (there's a theory that it could trigger contractions).

If you can’t make it to the salon, clip and file your nails and try this sumptuous soak at home: Mix equal parts brown sugar and olive oil, then scoop up a handful and massage your feet and legs, paying special attention to your heels and any other rough spots. Then soak your feet in a basin or bathtub filled with warm water and a capful of your favorite body wash. Pat dry, then moisturize with something that smells yummy. Last step: Polish if you can reach — if not, press your partner into service. (Promise a great tip!) Giving your nails the five-star treatment is one of the many ways to deal with nail changes during pregnancy (both good and bad).

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

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What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel.